Brassiere Cup Made of Latex and the Fabrication Method of the Same

ABSTRACT

Provided is a latex bra cup and a fabrication method thereof. The bra cup includes: an anti-tensile material having a bra cup shape and durable against a tensile strength; and a latex layer applied on the anti-tensile material. The fabrication method includes steps of: disposing an anti-tensile member between an upper mold having a concave shape in an upper portion of the bra cup and a lower mold having a convex shape in a lower portion of the bra cup; forming a bra shaped space by closely contacting the upper mold and the lower mold; injecting latex into the bra shaped space; and separating the fixed bra cup from the molds. Accordingly, a bra cup is soft in touch, formed of an environmentally friendly material, and has durability.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bra cup of a brassiere, and more particularly, to a bra cup with an excellent durability, light in weight, and soft in touch.

BACKGROUND ART

A brassiere is a female foundation garment that covers breasts of a chest part, and is also referred to as a bra, an up-lift, or a bandeau. The brassiere supports and protects the breasts, and corrects a breast shape for ideal silhouette of an upper garment. The word brassiere derives from the French word “brassiere”.

The brassiere is basically structured such that it is sufficiently drawn from shoulders so as to cover a breast portion, and a lower portion of the brassiere has to be closely tightened to a user's body, while permitting a room to some extent over the breasts. In general, the brassiere is necessary especially for an obese person. For a thin person, a bra cup is used to form a desirable breast shape. Further, straps are required so that the brassiere can be closely attached to the breasts and fixed to the user's body.

The bra cup includes a cup body inside an exterior-cover in order to maintain a bra cup shape. The cup body is generally formed by molding a polyurethane material. In a molding process, the polyurethane material having a uniform thickness is compressed by using a press, thereby forming a bra cup shape.

The bra cup is formed such that its center portion having a thick thickness is more subjected to the molding process, whereas its outer circumference having a thin thickness is relatively less subjected to the molding process. As a result, since its outer circumference is rigidly formed, a user may feel generally uncomfortable with the bra cup. In addition, the polyurethane material has poor flexibility.

In order to solve the above problems, a research on a bra cup formed of a material such as latex that is further flexible, light in weight, and environmentally friendly has been conducted. Still, there is a problem in that such a material is poor in durability, and thus is difficult to be fabricated. In addition, even after fabrication, it cannot be used for a long period of time.

Technical Problem

The present invention provides a bra cup with an excellent durability, light in weight, and soft in touch.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bra cup comprising: an anti-tensile material having a bra cup shape and durable against a tensile strength; and a latex layer applied on the anti-tensile material. Thus, a property of latex which is light in weight, soft in touch, and durable can be used.

In this case, the latex layer may comprise: an inner latex layer applied inside the anti-tensile material; and an outer latex layer applied outside the anti-tensile material.

In addition, the anti-tensile material may have a mesh shape.

In addition, the latex layer may have a thin outer circumferential surface. Thus, a boundary portion between the bra cup and the breast portion is not easy to be externally exposed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fabrication method of a bra cup, the method comprising steps of: disposing an anti-tensile member between an upper mold having a concave shape in an upper portion of the bra cup and a lower mold having a convex shape in a lower portion of the bra cup; forming a bra shaped space by closely contacting the upper mold and the lower mold; injecting latex into the bra shaped space; and separating the fixed bra cup from the molds.

In this case, a step of compression for further closely contacting the upper and lower molds may be further comprised after the step of injecting latex. Thus, the bra cup can be further durable, and a surface of the bra cup can be further smoothed.

In addition, a step of cleansing the separated latex with antioxidant may be further comprised after the step of separating. Thus, the cup can be prevented from discoloring.

In addition, in the step of disposing the anti-tensile member, an outer circumference of the anti-tensile member may be elongated to be fixed. Thus, the anti-tensile member can be prevented from creasing.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various effects can be expected as follows. However, it does not mean that the present invention has to satisfy all of these effects.

First, a bra cup of the present invention includes an anti-tensile member inside thereof, and thus can have durability even when a soft material such as latex is used.

Second, since an outer circumference of the bra cup can be formed to be thin, the brassiere is comfortable in wear, and a boundary of the brassiere is not externally seen.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brassiere according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, taken along a cross-sectional line II-II.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show structures of a brassiere according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the brassiere, and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, taken along a line IV-IV.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are cross-sectional views showing steps of a fabrication method of a bra cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.

MODE FOR INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brassiere according to a first-embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, a widely used brassiere includes two bra cups 100 covering user's breasts, a breast-connection portion 200 for connecting the bra cups 100 in a breast portion, a back-connection portion 300 for connecting the bra cups 100 to the back portion, and a shoulder strap 400 of which one-side is connected to an upper end of the bra cups 100 and the other side is connected to the back-connection portion 300.

The bra cups 100 are a feature of the present invention, and thus, hereinafter, descriptions will focus on the bra cups 100. Since other parts are well-known, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted for clear understanding of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, taken along a cross-sectional line II-II.

Referring to the drawing, the bra cups 100 includes a bra cup body 120 having a bra cup shape, and an exterior cover 110 bonded to a surface of the bra cup body 120.

The bra cup body 120 includes an anti-tensile member 123 that is durable against a tensile strength, and latex layers 121 and 122 applied on the anti-tensile member 123. The anti-tensile member 123 is formed in a mesh shape, and may be formed of a variety of materials. That is, a general natural material such as a cotton fabric, a silk fabric, a synthetic fabric, a mesh, or the like may be used.

The latex layers 121 and 122 include an inner latex layer 122 applied inside the anti-tensile member 123, and an outer latex layer 121 applied outside the anti-tensile member 123. Referring to FIG. 2, although the anti-tensile member 123 is exactly disposed in a center portion between the inner latex layer 122 and the outer latex layer 121, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, the anti-tensile member 123 may lean towards either one of the two sides. That is, even if the latex layer is applied on either one side of the anti-tensile member 123, it is not departed from the scope of the present invention.

The latex layers 121 and 122 are shallowly formed on outer circumference surfaces. Accordingly, they can be easily bonded to the exterior cover 110. Further, a boundary portion between a skin and the bra cups 100 are prevented from projecting out of clothes.

The exterior cover 110 includes an inner exterior cover 112 bonded to the inner latex layer 122, and an outer exterior cover 111 bonded to the inner latex layer 122. The exterior cover 110 may be formed of a material used for a regular brassiere, for example, as a cotton fabric material or a silk fabric material having a good touch-feeling. The exterior cover 110 and the bra cup body 120 are bonded by sawing an outer circumference of the bra cupbody 120 and the exterior cover 110. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and thus they can be bonded in various bonding methods.

Latex is classified into a natural latex which is a sticky liquid oozing out when a bark of a gum tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is notched by using a knife, and a syntax latex in which emulsion is formed of a synthetic rubber that has undergone emulsion polymerization. Since the latex is light in weight, environmentally friendly, and soft in touch, it is widely used in various fields as a well-being material. Due to its poor durability, the latex itself has not been used as a material for a bra cup. In particular, the exterior cover 100 and a seam line portion have easily been torn. This problem is solved by disposing the anti-tensile member 123 inside the latex. That is, the latex itself can be prevented from tearing by allowing the tensile strength to be supported by the anti-tensile member 123.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show structures of a brassiere according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the brassiere, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, taken along a line IV-IV.

Unlike in the first embodiment, in the brassiere according to a second embodiment, a back-connection portion and a shoulder-connection portion are removed. This type of brassiere is designed for shoulder-exposing or back-exposing clothes.

The brassiere according to the second embodiment includes two bra cups 500 covering user's breasts, a breast-connection portion 200 for connecting the bra cups 500 in a breast portion, an adhesive layer 530 on which an adhesive material detachable from the user's body is applied on the inner surface of the bra cup 500, and an outer surface 510 which has undergone a flocking process.

The bra cup includes an anti-tensile member 523, and latex layers 521 and 522 applied on the anti-tensile member 523. The anti-tensile member 523 is formed in a mesh shape, and may be formed of a variety of materials. That is, a general natural material such as a cotton fabric, a silk fabric, a synthetic fabric, a mesh, or the like may be used.

The latex layers 521 and 522 include an inner latex layer 522 applied inside the anti-tensile member 523, and an outer latex layer 521 applied outside the anti-tensile member 523. Referring to FIG. 4, although the anti-tensile member 523 is exactly disposed in a center portion between the inner latex layer 522 and the outer latex layer 521, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, the anti-tensile member 523 may be leans towards any one of the two sides.

The latex layers 521 and 522 are shallowly formed on outer circumference surfaces. Accordingly, a boundary portion between a skin and the bra cups 100 are prevented from projecting out of clothes.

Although not indicated by a thickness in FIG. 4, an adhesive material which is not harmful to human body and is detachably placed on the inner surface of the bra cup is used for the adhesive layer 530. A flocking effect can be achieved in the outer surface 510 by attaching a wool material or a thin fabric onto the outer surface 510.

Accordingly, the brassiere according to the second embodiment can be light in weight and soft in touch. Further, the bra cup can be prevented from tearing by means of an anti-tensile member.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are cross-sectional views showing steps of a fabrication method of a bra cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A mold used to fabricate the bra cup includes an upper mold 720 and a lower mold 710.

The upper mold 720 includes a concave portion 723 having a concave shape in the upper portion of the bra cups 100 and 500, a liquid outflow bump 722 protruding from the lower outer circumferential surface, and a material inlet 721 passing through the concave portion 723. Preferably, the liquid outflow bump 722 is formed of an elastic material, or is bonded such that it can be entered into the upper mold 729.

The lower mold 710 includes a convex portion 712 having a convex shape in the lower portion of the bra cups 100 and 500, and a fixing member 711 capable of fixing an outer circumference of the anti-tensile member 123 to the outer circumference of the convex portion 712. The fixing member 711 may have a screw bonding structure.

A fabrication method of a bra cup by using the molds 710 and 720 includes a step of disposing the anti-tensile member 123 between the upper mold 720 and the lower mold 720, a step (FIG. 5) of elongating an outer circumference of the disposed anti-tensile member 123 as so to be fixed to the fixing member 711, a step (FIG. 6) of forming a bra shaped space by closely contacting the upper mold 720 and the lower mold 710, a step (FIG. 6) of injecting latex into the bra shaped space, a step of compressing the tipper mold 720 and the lower mold 710, a step of separating the fixed bra cup 120 from the molds 710 and 720, and a step of cleansing the separated latex by using an anti oxidant.

Since the anti-tensile member 123 is fixed onto the fixing member 711, a crease can be avoided when a curved portion is formed by applying, a specific tensile strength against the anti-tensile member 123.

In the step of injecting late-x, a foaming method is used to generate bubbles within a mold.

In the step of cleansing the anti-oxidant, the bra cup 120 is cleansed by using a solution in which hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide are mixed. As a result, the latex can be prevented from oxidation, and thus a surface of the latex can be prevented from being yellowish. Accordingly, a white bra cup can be achieved which was not possible with a known bra cup formed of a polyurethane material, thereby enabling further sophisticated design.

In the aforementioned fabrication method, a material may not be compressed, and even if compressed, it is evenly compressed. Thus, in comparison with a conventional method of using a material such as polyurethane for compression, an outer circumference can be formed further smoothly. Accordingly, the user can feel more comfortable with the bra cup in comparison with a conventional bra cup.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A bra cup comprising: an anti-tensile material having a bra cup shape and durable against a tensile strength; and a latex layer applied on the anti-tensile material.
 2. The bra cup according to claim 1 wherein the latex layer comprises: an inner latex layer applied inside the anti-tensile material; and an outer latex layer applied outside the anti-tensile material.
 3. The bra cup according to claim 1, wherein the anti-tensile material has a mesh shape.
 4. The bra cup according to claim 1, wherein the anti-tensile material is formed of a cotton fabric, a silk fabric, and a synthetic fabric.
 5. The bra cup according to claim 1, wherein the latex layer has a thin outer circumferential surface.
 6. The bra cup according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive material which is applied on an inner surface of the bra cup and is attached and detachable to/from a human body.
 7. The bra cup according to claim 6, wherein a surface of the bra cup is subjected to a flocking process.
 8. The bra cup according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the bra cup is subjected to a flocking process.
 9. The bra cup according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the bra cup is bonded with and covered by an exterior cover.
 10. A brassiere comprising the bra cup according to claim
 1. 11. A fabrication method of a bra cup according to claim 1, the method comprising steps of: disposing an anti-tensile member between an upper mold having a concave shape in an upper portion of the bra cup and a lower mold having a convex shape in a lower portion of the bra cup; forming a bra shaped space by closely contacting the upper mold and the lower mold; injecting latex into the bra shaped space; and separating the fixed bra cup from the molds.
 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of compression for further closely contacting the upper and lower molds after the step of injecting latex.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein in the step of injecting latex, a foaming process is used.
 14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of cleansing the separated latex with anti-oxidant after the step of separating.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein in the step of disposing the anti-tensile member, an outer circumference of the anti-tensile member elongated to be fixed.
 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of injecting latex, a foaming process is used.
 17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of disposing the anti-tensile member, an outer circumference of the anti-tensile member is elongated to be fixed. 